Dine with Your Pet: Foods a Dog Can Eat

Look, we all do this. We buy dog food for our pet, but every now and then, we give them other treats. Besides, you can’t feed your puppy just with dog food. And when we cook for ourselves, many of us want to cook for our dogs as well. I’ve had a number of dogs in my life, and I’ve always given them human food. And you know what? Human food is as healthy for dogs as it is for people. Of course, you just have to know what you can give to your pet.

So, just to be sure, here is a list of healthy human foods dogs can eat.

Parsley

Parsley is one of the best foods you can give to your dog, as it’s great for their breath. If your dog’s breath is a problem, parsley can solve it thanks to its richness in potassium and calcium. Parsley neutralizes bad breath, and it works for both humans and dogs. Chop some parsley and add it to your dog’s food.

Oatmeal

Do you know why we love oatmeal? Because it helps with digestion. Rich in fiber, oatmeal is the best breakfast option for humans. The only difference is that when you give oatmeal to dogs, you can’t add fruit and nuts.

Older dogs love oatmeal. As they get older, their digestion gets harder. So, to help make their digestion smooth, cook some oatmeal, cool it down, and then serve to your dog.

Peas

Potassium is one of the most crucial minerals for our overall health, and dogs need potassium as much as we do. In addition to potassium, peas are rich in vitamin B and phosphorus, two other key ingredients for your dog’s overall health.

Your dog can chew and digest peas, and you can add them raw to their food.

Coconut oil

I’m sure you know by now that coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils out there. It is wonderful for your skin, and it helps nourish a dog’s skin and fur.

You can add coconut oil to your dog’s diet in the form of unsweetened flakes. Add coconut oil to any meal, and your dog will appreciate it.

Carrots

We now move into the vegetables and fruit category. Let’s start with carrots, a veggie that contains multiple vitamins. And no, rabbits are not the only animals that love carrots. Dogs love them as well. In addition to providing a healthy boost, carrots are great for scraping plaque off their teeth. Baby carrots are the best, as they are the perfect size for dogs.

Pumpkin

Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes—three foods that we love to eat due to their high amount of vitamin A. When you want to give pumpkin to your dog, just make sure to cook it first.

In addition to vitamin A and beta-carotene, pumpkin is a great source of fiber, helping with any digestive issues your dog might have.

Sweet potatoes

Next on the list are sweet potatoes, another veggie rich in vitamin A.

Make sure to serve them unseasoned.

You can steam or bake the potatoes and then serve to your canine friend.

Green beans

Lots of vegetarians recommend green beans when your dog needs to lose weight. Hey, just as you need to lose weight sometimes, your dog needs to do the same as well.

Green beans are rich in fiber and low in calories, making them a perfect meal. They are filling, and your dog won’t feel hungry for a long time. At the same time, they won’t gain weight!

Apples

One thing to note: when you give apples to your canine, make sure to remove the seeds. The seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic for dogs. Slice them, and you can give them to your dog with the skin on.

Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C for dogs.

Yogurt and cottage cheese

Aside from milk, not many dairy products are recommended for dogs. However, yogurt and cottage cheese will do the trick.

They contain a healthy dose of calcium and probiotics that improve the digestive health of your pet. The only thing to note is that you need to look for low-fat options.

Lean meat

It goes without saying: dogs love meat. They are omnivores. Dog food is rich in meat. But natural, lean meat is a much better option than dog food. The thing is, dog food contains a lot more meat than natural lean meat. You can’t buy 1 lb of meat for your dog every day, so buy dog food as well as lean meat. Chicken, pork, and beef are the three options you can give to your dog for some protein, vitamin B, and amino acids. Just make sure there is no visible fat on the meat.

Peanut butter

Give your dog peanut butter, and he/she will love you. Canines absolutely love peanut butter. And the good news is it lasts so long. Peanut butter is an excellent way to boost your dog’s intake of protein as well as healthy fats and vitamins B and E. Put peanut butter in a bowl and you’ll keep your dog busy for hours. One thing to note though, is that you need raw, unsalted peanut butter. If it has sweeteners, make sure they are sugar-free sweeteners, as artificial sweeteners can be toxic to dogs.

Salmon

Most fish are as great for dogs as they are for people. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. A good amount of fish will make sure your dog’s coat is healthy and shiny.

In addition, fish boosts your pet’s immune system. Boneless, cooked salmon is the best option, or you can add salmon oil to your pet’s bowl.

Sardines

Another good fish option is sardines. The reason is the bones. Sardines have soft and digestible bones, which further boosts your pet’s calcium intake.

If you serve your dog any other fish, make sure to pick out all the tiny bones. And always give your dog fully cooked fish.

Eggs

As long as they are fully cooked, eggs are safe and healthy for dogs. Another excellent source of protein, eggs help your dog with an upset stomach. Just make sure to fully cook the eggs before giving to your pet.

What foods can’t you give to your dog?

There are certain foods and food groups that you should absolutely avoid giving to your pet. No matter how healthy they are, these foods can be toxic when given to dogs. Here are some:

The problem with dark chocolate is not an old wives’ tale. Chocolate contains toxic substances for dogs, and just a little bit of chocolate can cause diarrhea. However, you can buy chocolate for dogs in pet stores.

Cinnamon can irritate your pet’s mouth. Just a small dose of cinnamon can make your canine sick and feel uncomfortable. Eventually, cinnamon will increase your pet’s blood sugar and cause diarrhea in the process.

Anything from the Allium family is toxic for dogs. That includes onions, chives, leeks, and garlic. Garlic is the most toxic food you can give to your dog, as it causes anemia, weakness, elevated heart rate, and pale gums.

Almost anything from the nuts family is bad for dogs, but almonds are at the top of the list. If not chewed completely, almonds can tear the windpipe. In addition, salted almonds increase water retention, a condition that is fatal to some dogs. Other nuts toxic for dogs are walnuts and pecans.

Macadamia nuts are a very poisonous food for dogs. Macadamia nuts can cause inability to walk and lethargy. But most importantly, they affect the nervous system.

Last, but not least, anything that is part of the proteaceae family is very toxic to dogs.

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